Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy, Happy Mother's Day

I remember sitting in the doctor's office on my first visitwhen I was pregnant with Christopher. The doctor,put her hand on my knee, looked me and Steven in theeye and said seriously, "what happens now is a cellexplosion. It's a miracle when it works, but if it doesn'tyou can't beat yourself up, it's not your fault." Thefirst time I saw each of my children will be emblazonedin my mind and heart forever. I had never felt that kindof love before they arrived. Now every single day theysurprise me, teach me, change my world in ways I couldnever have imagined when we decided to have "a baby."

That said I know many people without children whetherby choice, or circumstance, who are motherly, or fatherlyin the best sense, both male and female. I think it's worthhonouring where we came from, and honouring the ability tonurture, encourage and give support to children, friends,colleagues and the community at large.

My own mother has been a beautiful woman all her life.She was there to rock us to sleep, read us our bed timestories, cook our suppers, listen to our triumphs and lows,and steer us on the path to the grown up lives we chose. She isa mainstay, an inspiration and a strong, vibrant, intelligentwoman. I love her and she knows it, and she loves meand I know it too. And that's major.

The picture tonight is the first step in a paintingof my neice and her little girl.She is one of the best mothers I've ever met, as is hermother, my sister. I've learned so much from both of them.

Got to go now, my sons, Christopher and Sam and myhusband Steven are taking me out for dinner. It's beena sweet day, flowers, breakfast in bed, and even time tothink about and start a new painting (s). I reallylove the diptych format.

2 comments:

You echoed a thought I had today: a woman I know, had no children of her own, but she still was nurturing to the kids that entered her life through relatives and marriages... it needs to be honored: right on, Barbara.

'Cell explosion': you had a doctor that had a clear understanding of the process, and didn't lose perspective.

Thanks so much. You do understand what I'm saying. You don't have to be a mother or father to help transform the world with kindness and care. I've met many people who parent the world, but don't have any children of their own.

Have a great nurturing day Edgar. You and Melinda always nurture the blog world with your thoughtful words and great art.

Portrait Artist

I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you?
Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada.
Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!

I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission or purchase one of my paintings contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!